23rd September
Recent research by the University of Loughborough has indicated that around 30 per cent of children are not ready for school by the time that they reach reception age. Researchers discovered that large numbers of children suffer from poor mobility which in turn affects their balance and coordination, leading to reduced ability to learn in school. Around 90 per cent of the children in the study were found to have some degree of difficulty with mobility compared with the expectation for their age. Children who have been inactive in the early years are presenting with symptoms which are associated with conditions such as dyspraxia, ADHD and dyslexia, leading to an over-diagnosis of children with learning difficulties. Dr Rebecca Duncombe of Loughborough said that greater physical activity in the early years is necessary to prevent children from suffering from these difficulties.